[Yanolja Research Insights] Vol.28 Unlocking Regional Skies: An Analysis of the Northeast Asian Air Network
Unlocking Regional Skies: Key Insights for the Future of Northeast Asian Air Travel Rapid Recovery, Persistent Imbalances Inbound tourism to Korea has nearly returned to pre-pandemic levels, with 2024 welcoming approximately 16.37 million international visitors—a 93.5% recovery rate from 2019. However, the vast majority of foreign travelers still enter through Seoul’s Incheon and Gimpo airports (about 73%), while regional airports account for only 15.1% of arrivals. This highlights a continued imbalance, with most tourism activity concentrated in the capital region. Air Network Dynamics: Who Flies Where? Korean airlines dominate international routes, operating nearly 67% of all scheduled flights, particularly on routes to Japan and Taiwan. Foreign airline participation is highest on China routes, where Chinese carriers operate over 60% of flights. This contrasts sharply with Japan routes, where Korean carriers handle over 90% of flights. Low-cost carriers (LCCs) have rapidly expanded, ...